Pet safe houseplants: non-toxic plants for cats and dogs by light level

Many of the most popular houseplants are toxic to cats and dogs: pothos, snake plants, peace lilies, ZZ plants, monstera, philodendron, and aloe vera all cause symptoms ranging from mild irritation to serious illness if ingested. If you have a cat that nibbles leaves or a dog that sniffs around pots, it is worth knowing which plants are safe before you bring them home. This guide lists non-toxic alternatives organized by the light they need, so you can find something safe for your actual windows.

Toxicity information in this guide is based on the ASPCA's toxic plant database. When in doubt, verify the specific species on the ASPCA website before purchasing, since toxicity can vary between closely related varieties.

Popular plants that ARE toxic to cats and dogs

Before the safe list: a quick reference for the plants most commonly brought home that pet owners should know about.

• Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) — toxic to cats and dogs. Causes oral irritation and vomiting.
• Snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata) — mildly toxic. Causes gastrointestinal upset.
• Peace lily (Spathiphyllum) — toxic. Causes oral irritation, drooling, vomiting.
• ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) — toxic. Contains calcium oxalate crystals.
• Monstera (Monstera deliciosa) — toxic. Similar calcium oxalate irritation.
• Philodendron (all species) — toxic to cats and dogs.
• Aloe vera — toxic. Causes vomiting and lethargy.
• Dracaena (most species) — toxic to cats and dogs.
• Jade plant (Crassula ovata) — toxic.
• True lilies (Lilium species: Easter lily, tiger lily) — severely toxic to cats. Can cause kidney failure.

This does not mean you cannot own any of these plants. It means keeping them in places pets cannot reach: on high shelves, in rooms pets do not access, or in hanging baskets well above the floor. The list below focuses on plants you can keep anywhere without concern.

Pet safe plants for low light (north window or away from any window)

• Spider Plant Chlorophytum comosum Non-toxic to cats and dogs. One of the most adaptable houseplants. Produces trailing babies from a hanging basket. Tolerates very low light.
• Cast Iron Plant Aspidistra elatior Non-toxic. Handles dim corners better than almost any other plant. Very slow-growing but essentially indestructible.
• Prayer Plant Maranta leuconeura Non-toxic. Patterned leaves that fold up at night. Tolerates low indirect light; does better in moderate indirect light.
• Calathea Goeppertia spp. Non-toxic to cats and dogs. Striking patterned foliage. Prefers low to medium indirect light; avoid direct sun.
• Parlor Palm Chamaedorea elegans Non-toxic. One of the few palms that genuinely tolerates low light indoors. Elegant, slow-growing.
• Boston Fern Nephrolepis exaltata Non-toxic. Lush trailing fronds. Needs consistent moisture and moderate indirect light; good in a humid bathroom.

Pet safe plants for moderate indirect light (east window)

• Peperomia Peperomia spp. Non-toxic. Wide variety of leaf shapes and textures. Compact, slow-growing, and very easy. Great for a desk or shelf near an east window.
• Haworthia Haworthiopsis spp. Non-toxic. Small succulent-like rosettes with translucent tips. Tolerates lower light than most succulents.
• Orchid (Phalaenopsis) Phalaenopsis spp. Non-toxic to cats and dogs. East window delivers ideal light for consistent blooming. Dramatic flowers for weeks.
• African Violet Saintpaulia ionantha Non-toxic. Compact flowering plant that does well in bright indirect east light. Flowers in pink, purple, and white.
• Swedish Ivy Plectranthus verticillatus Non-toxic. Trailing succulent-leaved plant, easy to grow and propagate. Good trailing plant for a shelf near a window.
• Bromeliad Bromeliaceae family Non-toxic. Dramatic tropical appearance with a central water cup. Long-lasting flower spike. Handles indirect light well.

Pet safe plants for bright light (south or west window)

• Areca Palm Dypsis lutescens Non-toxic. Large, feathery fronds create a dramatic tropical look. Needs bright indirect light and does well near a south or west window.
• Echeveria Echeveria spp. Non-toxic. The classic rosette succulent in dozens of colors. Needs the intense light of a south sill to stay compact and colorful.
• Hens and Chicks Sempervivum tectorum Non-toxic. Hardy succulent rosettes that produce offset "chicks." South window is ideal.
• Ponytail Palm Beaucarnea recurvata Non-toxic. A sculptural, slow-growing plant with a swollen base and cascading leaves. Drought-tolerant; needs bright light.
• Polka Dot Plant Hypoestes phyllostachya Non-toxic. Vivid pink or red spotted leaves. Needs bright indirect light to hold its color. Good near a west window.
• Friendship Plant Pilea involucrata Non-toxic. Textured, deeply patterned leaves in green and bronze. Compact and easy; handles bright indirect light well.

A note on placement

Even with non-toxic plants, it is worth considering placement. Cats in particular enjoy chewing on leaves, which can damage the plant and may still cause mild stomach upset even from technically non-toxic species. A hanging basket, a high shelf, or a room the pet does not access keeps both the plant and the pet in better shape.

For the toxic plants you still want to keep, elevation is the practical solution. A pothos in a hanging basket 6 feet above the floor is out of reach of most dogs and all but the most determined cats. A monstera on top of a refrigerator or on a high wall bracket stays well above cat-browsing height.

If you are not sure what direction your windows face, knowing whether you have a north, east, south, or west exposure helps you match any of the plants above to the right spot. The window direction guide covers three quick ways to find out.

Frequently asked questions